Inside Look

ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk

Let’s End Prostate Cancer!

By Janette Calabro

Omaha’s 2021 ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk is moving forward in person this year on Saturday, August 7, at Lake Zorinsky Park. (There’s also a virtual option available.) The 5K Run/Walk and one-mile walk event is hosted by Adult Pediatric Urology & Urogynecology. Its purpose? To fundraise support for prostate cancer patients and families. Create your own team or join solo for this event, and witness highlights like Survivor & Caregiver Recognition and the Kids Superhero Dash for Dad. Register for free at zerocancerrun. org/omaha, where you can even create your own fundraising page.

“We can’t wait for you to join us in making a difference for men and their families,” says Emily Sybrant, who has been the Midwest Chapter Director for ZERO—The End of Prostate Cancer for the past three years. “We started this event in 2019 with Kirk Montagne, a volunteer from Omaha whose family has been impacted by prostate cancer. Kirk orchestrated a meeting between ZERO and Adult Pediatric Urology & Urogynecology. There was an instant connection! It only took about 15 minutes to decide we would be partnering up.”

Emily is passionate about spreading awareness for early detection and informing men about the risks of prostate cancer. “The vision of ZERO is creating Generation ZERO—the first generation of men free from prostate cancer!”

Katie Krimmel, Omaha Race Director for Adult Pediatric Urology & Urogynecology, is excited to see the event happen live this year, since last year’s event was virtual only. She’s implementing safety precautions so that the event can be safe and fun for everyone. For Katie, the biggest impact is the day of the event, when she sees how many people show up to support their loved ones who have fought or lost the fight to prostate cancer. “Prostate cancer is not something men want to talk about,” Katie notes, “but when they come to the event and see how many people it affects, I think it really opens their eyes. They feel supported, they hear stories from other men who are fighting, and they can talk to doctors and pharmaceutical representatives.”

It’s important for men and women to know the facts about prostate cancer. The disease affects one in eight men. Veterans and men with a family history of prostate cancer have an even higher risk of developing the disease. The good news? If caught early, prostate cancer is nearly 100 percent treatable.

“We want to encourage men to stay on top of their health and get an annual PSA screening test,” says Emily. “It’s a simple blood test that can save lives. There are often no symptoms in the early stages of prostate cancer, which is why yearly testing is so important. ZERO offers critical patient programs to men and families who are going through their prostate cancer journey, from our ZERO360 patient navigator program to support programs like ZERO Mentor, ZERO Connect, and ZERO Caregiver.”

PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is a protein produced by normal or malignant cells from the prostate gland. The PSA test measures the level of this protein in the bloodstream. The simple blood test is then sent to a lab for analysis. Katie plans to offer a free PSA clinic at the event on August 7th for any men who want to have their PSA checked. “Adult Pediatric Urology & Urogynecology will run the labs for free and will contact the patient if levels are higher than normal,” says Katie. “This is a great opportunity for men who have never been checked before because it is completely free! The physicians at Adult Pediatric Urology & Urogynecology are all strong advocates for prostate cancer awareness and for treatment that will benefit the patient in the best way possible. Our office also offers an advanced prostate clinic with a nurse navigator for those who are in advanced stages of prostate cancer.”

“People like Katie, Kirk, the doctors, the patients, and the survivors inspire me every day to keep fighting to end prostate cancer,” Emily chimes in. “It’s events like these that bring awareness to early detection and to the community of support for prostate cancer patients and their loved ones. If you are a man, talk to your doctor about getting tested. If you are a woman, make sure that the men in your life know about early detection and the importance of staying on top of their health.”

For more information about the 2021 ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk at Lake Zorinsky Park, visit zerocancerrun.org/omaha. To learn more about ZERO—The End of Prostate Cancer, visit zerocancer.org. To make an appointment with Adult Pediatric Urology & Urogynecology, visit adultpediatricuro.com.